San Francisco/New York • 6 November 2014 - Marriage Equality USA urges the full Sixth Circuit or the United States Supreme Court to reverse today’s decision that continues the exclusion of loving, committed same-sex couples from marriage in Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee.

“Today’s decision is out of step with the decisions of forty other courts, including the four other federal appellate courts who have ruled on the issue, all of whom have ruled in favor of marriage equality,“ said John Lewis, Marriage Equality USA’s Legal and Policy Director. “The Sixth Circuit creates a split among the federal circuits regarding marriage equality, a circumstance that is a classic reason for the United States Supreme Court to decide a legal issue. A full panel of Sixth Circuit judges could also reverse the decision. As we have witnessed states as diverse as Oklahoma, West Virginia, and Utah embrace marriage equality this week, it is clear that he freedom to marry is a fundamental constitutional right that belongs to all Americans, not just some Americans.”

“The momentum for marriage equality that we have witnessed over the past month is incredible. Witnessing loving, committed same-sex couples, many of whom have been together for decades, exchange vows and get married all across the country, has inspired our nation to embrace our common humanity. However, the Sixth Circuit’s decision perpetuates an unsustainable patchwork, in which a majority of states embrace marriage equality, but a minority of states continue to exclude loving, committed couples from the freedom to marry that all other Americans enjoy. It’s time for this differential treatment to end. It’s time for full marriage equality for all Americans,” said Brian Silva, Executive Director of Marriage Equality USA.

Marriage Equality USA (MEUSA) was the grassroots movement to win marriage in the United States. With the U.S. Supreme Court victory on June 26, 2015 the work of the organization - though not the larger movement - was achieved and MEUSA ceased formal operations, closing in late 2017. For inquires please contact lovewins@marriageequality.org.